Deepavali (or Diwali, “row of lights”) is celebrated by Hindus worldwide to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair. Oil-wick lamps
are lit in every household, along with colourful strings of electric lights, causing the home, village and community to sparkle with dancing flames. The festival falls on the day before the new moon in the month of Aypasi (October/November). Communities spare nothing in celebration. Lavish spreads of sweets and treats reflect unfettered partying. Deepavali lehyam a potent concoction made with ginger, pepper, ghee and moreis provided to
Help gourmands digest the sumptuous feast. Families reach out to each other with gifts of sweets, dried fruit and crunchy, salty treats. Everyone wears colourful new clothing and any even new jewellery. Girls and women decorate their hands with henna designs.

In Hindu culture, light is a powerful metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. It is a reminder of the preciousness of education, self-inquiry and improvement, which bring harmony to the individual, the community and between communities. By honouring light, we affirm the fact that from knowing arises respect for and acceptance of others. Lighting lamps reminds Hindus to keep on the right path, to dispel darkness from their hearts and minds, and to embrace knowledge and goodness.

The Hindu literature narrates that the asura (demon) Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna, Satyabhama and Kali. The day is celebrated by early morning religious rituals and festivities followed on. This day is commonly celebrated as Deepavali or Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Andhrapradesh, Telangana, Goa and Karnataka.

Diwali marks the conquest of negative forces.To wipe away all traces of life’s struggle,the negative and draining energies of strife, Hindus invoke the waters of India’s holiest rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Indus and Kaveri into water collected in urns in preparation for an ablution after an oil massage. The special bath cleanses the physical and auric energies of the individual. Fragrant powders of dried lentils, roots, aromatic seeds, leaves and fl owers are used to remove the oil. Families then don fine new clothes, beautiful patterns are drawn on the ground, and lamps are lit until entire streets glow. Even the White House in Washington, D.C., is illumined by the gentle glow of oil lamps during its annual Deepavali or Diwali observances.